What to actually expect
Keratin treatment results.
Smoother hair, eliminated frizz, 30+ minutes off your styling time every morning. Results that last 3-5 months. Here is what that actually looks like — and what affects how long it lasts.
Before and after
What keratin treatment results actually look like.
The most visible change is frizz elimination. Hair that used to puff up in humidity stays smooth and controlled. The cuticle lies flat, so light reflects evenly — you get a natural shine that is not product-dependent.
Styling time drops dramatically. Most people go from 30-45 minutes of blow-drying and flat-ironing every morning to 5-10 minutes. Some skip heat styling entirely and air-dry to a smooth finish.
The texture change is real — hair feels softer and silkier. Not limp or flat, but genuinely smoother. And the humidity resistance is the part that surprises people most. Rain, gym sessions, summer heat — treated hair stays the way you left it.
Frizz reduction
Up to 100%
Styling time saved
30+ mins/day
Results last
3-5 months
Improves with
Each treatment
When to expect what
Results timeline.
01
Immediately after
You see results as soon as the flat-ironing step is complete. Hair is visibly smoother. Then you wait 72 hours — no water, no clips, no ponytails. This wait is critical. The treatment is still bonding to the hair cortex. The first wash reveals the true result.
02
Peak at 2 weeks
The treatment continues to settle during the first two weeks. By day 10-14, the hair reaches its smoothest, most manageable state. This is when the full frizz elimination, shine, and texture improvement are at their best. Most people say their hair has never looked better.
03
Lasts 3-5 months
Results hold strong for 3-5 months depending on aftercare. The treatment fades gradually — there is no sudden drop-off. Around month 3-4, you may notice some frizz returning at the roots where new growth comes in. The mid-lengths and ends stay smooth longer.
Results by hair type
Every hair type responds differently.
The results you get depend on your starting texture. Here is what each hair type can realistically expect from a keratin treatment at home using QIQI Hair Controller.
£119 · 150g
Hair Controller — Thick & Coarse
Dramatic frizz reduction and volume control. Thick, coarse, and afro-textured hair sees the most visible transformation — from unmanageable bulk to soft, smooth, controlled hair. Choose defined curls or a fully straight finish.
Shop now →
£119 · 150g
Hair Controller — Wavy & Curly
Relaxes waves into a smoother, more defined pattern — or delivers a sleek, straight result. Eliminates the halo of frizz around curls. Hair holds its shape in humidity instead of expanding.
Shop now →
£119 · 150g
Hair Controller — Thin & Delicate
Adds body and smoothness without weighing hair down. Fine and colour-treated hair gets frizz control and shine while keeping natural volume. No limpness — just smoother, healthier-looking hair.
Shop now →Not sure which formula? Take the 60-second hair quiz →
The variables
What affects your results.
Hair porosity
High-porosity hair absorbs the treatment faster but may also release it faster. Low-porosity hair takes longer to process but tends to hold results longer. A strand test before your first application helps calibrate processing time.
Flat iron temperature
The iron needs to reach 230°C. Lower temperatures do not seal the treatment properly — you get shorter-lasting results. Make sure your iron genuinely reaches the temperature it displays.
Processing time
Thick, resistant hair needs 60-90 minutes of processing under heat. Fine hair needs 30-45 minutes. Under-processing gives weaker results. Over-processing on fine hair risks damage. Follow the guide for your hair type.
Aftercare shampoo
This is the single biggest variable in how long results last. Sulphates strip keratin treatments. Sulphate-free shampoo extends results from 4-6 weeks to 4-5 months. It is the one thing you cannot skip.
Related guides
Get the details right and your results last months longer.
Full application guide — step-by-step process with photos.
Best shampoo after keratin treatment — exactly what to use and what to avoid.
How long does keratin treatment last — the full breakdown.
Honest expectations
What a keratin treatment will not do.
A keratin treatment is not permanent straightening. It smooths and reduces frizz, but your natural texture is still there underneath. When the treatment fades, your hair returns to its original state — it does not get worse.
It grows out gradually. New growth at the roots will have your natural texture, while the mid-lengths and ends stay smooth. There is no harsh line of demarcation like with chemical relaxers. The transition is subtle.
Results improve with repeat treatments. The first application is the most dramatic change. The second and third treatments build on the structural benefit left by the previous one — smoother results, faster application, and longer-lasting effects. Most people find their ideal routine is reapplying every 3-4 months.
Hair type matters. If you have curly hair or afro-textured hair, the result will differ from someone with wavy hair. Each formula is designed for a specific texture — choosing the right one is the most important decision you make.
Make it last
How to maximise your results.
Choose the correct formula for your hair type
Thick & Coarse for afro and resistant hair. Wavy & Curly for natural waves and curls. Thin & Delicate for fine, colour-treated, or bleached hair. The wrong formula gives underwhelming results — not because the treatment does not work, but because the chemistry is not matched to your hair.
Get your flat iron technique right
Small sections — 1cm wide. 5-10 passes per section at 230°C. The iron seals the treatment into the cortex. Rushing this step with wide sections or fewer passes means the treatment is not locked in properly. This is the step that determines how long results last.
Use sulphate-free aftercare from day one
Switch to a sulphate-free shampoo immediately after the 72-hour wait. Every wash with sulphates removes treatment. QIQI Smooth Service Shampoo is designed to work with the Hair Controller range — but any genuinely sulphate-free shampoo will extend results significantly.
Avoid excessive washing
Every wash removes a small amount of the treatment. Wash 2-3 times per week instead of daily. Use dry shampoo between washes if needed. The less water and shampoo your hair sees, the longer your results last.
Results that last
Aftercare is the difference between 6 weeks and 5 months.
Read the full guide on how long keratin treatment lasts and the best shampoo to use after treatment. These two pages cover everything you need to know about extending your results.
Common questions
Keratin treatment results — FAQ
What does hair look like after keratin treatment?
Hair is visibly smoother, shinier, and virtually frizz-free. The cuticle lies flat, which reflects light evenly and gives a glossy, healthy appearance. Thick or coarse hair loses bulk and feels softer. Wavy or curly hair relaxes into a looser, more defined pattern. The change is most dramatic in humid conditions, where untreated hair would normally frizz — treated hair stays smooth.
How long until you see keratin results?
You see results immediately after the flat-ironing step. The full result appears after the 72-hour waiting period and first wash with sulphate-free shampoo. The treatment continues to settle over the first two weeks — most people say their hair looks its best around day 10-14.
Does keratin treatment make hair straight?
Not necessarily. A keratin treatment smooths the hair and reduces frizz, but the degree of straightening depends on the formula, iron temperature, and number of passes. With QIQI Hair Controller, you can choose to keep some natural wave or go fully smooth. It is not a Japanese straightening — it works with your natural texture rather than forcing it straight.
Do keratin treatment results get better over time?
Yes. Each treatment builds on the last. The first treatment delivers the most dramatic change, but the second and third treatments tend to produce smoother, longer-lasting results because the hair fibre retains some structural benefit from the previous application. Most people notice better results and easier application by the second treatment.
What happens when keratin treatment wears off?
The treatment does not suddenly stop working. It fades gradually over 3-5 months as treated hair grows out and the keratin washes away slowly. Your hair returns to its natural texture — it does not become worse than before. There is no harsh regrowth line like with chemical relaxers. You can reapply whenever you want to maintain results.
Dispatched next working day
See the results yourself.
Three formulas. Three treatments per bottle. Results that last 3-5 months. Free UK delivery over £80. The same product used in professional salons.